Common ground Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Common ground - Essay Example According to Terris (1999), one sixth of the total land base in our country yielded to development within a short ten year period from 1982 to 1992. This author’s article deals with the issue of a decline or extinction in various species caused by bulldozing down grasslands and forests, thus building towards a plea for the conservation and preservation of wildlife. The article by Shaw (2004) however, does acknowledge that human activity has stripped away a considerable amount of forested land, thereby depriving the wildlife of their habitat; however reforestation has also been active and this has produced a condition where the nation is now a haven for wild animals and many species that were once endangered are not multiplying in record numbers. For wxample, Shaw (2004) cites the example of the bald eagle, whose population was once down to 32 pairs but has now increased to 329 known active bald eagle nests. In providing an argument that urban sprawl has contributed to the decl ine in certain species of wildlife, Terris(1999) provides specific examples of such species that have been out at risk, such as the Florida panther, the pygmy owl, the kangaroo rat and even plant species such as the saguaro cactus. Her analysis is based upon the following main arguments: (a) Development of land for habitation and especially leap frog developments have eroded the natural habitat for wildlife. (b) Patterns of urban growth have produced loss of habitat for several species of wildlife, fragmentation or the breakup of ecosystems and the generalization of ecosystems wherein only the hardy species that can survive on green lawns and stuff from garbage cans are able to survive. (c) Conservation alone cannot save wildlife, what is necessary is control over development patterns, i.e, restricting unfettered and unplanned development and effectively managing growth in such a manner that it protects wildlife The article by Shaw (2004) is based upon two singular aspects; first th e proliferation of wildlife and second, the increasing proximity of humans to wildlife. In support of her claim that reforestation is rekindling many once diminished species, Shaw (2004) offers the following arguments: (a) Natural reforestation is increasing due to the decline in farming, especially in the eastern United States, which is also increasing wildlife (b) Suburbanization or low density development outside the cities provides a variety of habitat and vegetation that is a draw for animals. (c) A new ecology is being established, i.e, with suburbanization, people build new kinds of habitat such as bird feeders, gardens and ornamental nurseries which are breeding grounds for meso mammals, or mid sized species which only need smaller areas to roam (d) Some species such as deer and geese are both wildlife success stories and a cause of nuisance as well. For example, deer can be a nuisance in the form of deer related collisions, carriers of Lyme disease and damage to crops and s eeds. (e) Increasing proximity of wildlife has become a cause of concern in several areas, for example a mountain lion attacked a woman riding a bicycle near a wild life park. (f) On the basis of her arguments, Shaw(2004) argues that there seems to be an apparent compatibility between human and wild life and the growing notion and people can exist side by side with wilds animals. Entrepreneurs are making efforts to build natural sites